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“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ghosted you like I did. You’re right. I was scared. I was fucking terrified, but it wasn’t fair of me to take that out on you.”
She nods, but doesn’t speak, just chews on her bottom lip and watches me, waiting.
I can’t stand it. It’s taking everything in me to hold back, to not wrap my arms around her and pull her in for a hug now that she’s this close. But I lost that right when I walked away. I need to make it right and then let Charley decide if she still wants me after that. Sighing, I rub my hands over my face and give myself a second to pull it together. Then, meeting her gaze again, I say, “you don’t owe me anything, least of all your forgiveness, but I’m asking for it anyhow. Charley, I’m so sorry that I hurt you. In my quest to protect my own heart, I didn’t realize that you already owned it and had since the first moment you landed in my arms. Sure, there were some rocky parts in the middle,” I’m smiling then, and so is she, “I could have gone without the vomit. But the point is, even if it took me a minute to realize it, you made me believe in love again. You woke my bruised and battered heart and claimed it for yourself. I love you, Charley.” Panic flits through me as I see tears welling up and beginning to fall.
Shit! I can’t hold back anymore. I step closer and pull her into my arms. “I’m so sorry, Sunshine. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
She doesn’t speak at first, just burrows herself into me, her fists clenching my shirt like a lifeline and my worry triples. I steel myself for her rejection. It’s nothing less than I deserve, but that doesn’t help the dread that fills me at the thought of going back to the dull and dreary life I’d always known before Charley crash landed in my arms.
My thoughts are spiraling into full-blown panic, but outwardly I’m just softly stroking her hair and providing the comfort she clearly needs. She pulls back just enough to meet my gaze, her fists still clenched in my shirt. The depths of emotion swirling in her gaze as she watches me gives me hope, but still, I wait. I don’t want to pressure her, I want to be whatever she needs me to be. And if that’s just a friend, then I’ll have to accept that.
When her soft voice finally breaks the silence, it feels like hours have passed, but in reality, it’s only been minutes. “These are happy tears, Sweets. I’ve waited entirely too long to hear those words from you. I love you, too. I thought I knew everything there was to know about love, but I had no idea. Not until the moment you saved me from my inevitable death by stair climber and I felt my heart try to leap from my chest and land at your feet. You’re my very own Prince Charming, and I’ve been waiting my whole life to find you.”
Without hesitation, my defenses crumble entirely, and I draw her closer to me, desiring not even the slightest gap between us as I kiss her. This kiss is different than the others we’ve shared. Fiercer. Needier. As if our time apart could only be erased by this intense, all-consuming kiss. Her unique taste, coffee and sunshine, is my own personal kryptonite and I can’t get enough of it. I can’t believe I almost walked away from this, from her, forever. With my fingers entwined in her hair, I pull her closer, losing myself in the passionate kiss for a brief moment, relishing the heavenly sensation before reluctantly pulling away.
We’re both breathing raggedly. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are slowly, reluctantly, fluttering open. I groan with the effort of pulling back, but this is too important. “Hold that thought, Charley. We’re getting ahead of schedule here and I still have a lot of romancing to do.” With some effort, I pry one of my hands from around her and gesture at the surrounding set-up. “I wanted a chance to redo our sixth date. And give you the night you deserve.”
Grabbing her hand, I pull her to the dance floor and help her sit down on the blanket. Stepping away from her for just a moment, I come back with a remote and two microphones. Clicking a button on the remote, the screen in front of us clicks to life and the surrounding music changes to the sultry tune of The Time of My Life.
Handing her one microphone, I ask, “shall we?”
She’s crying again, but I know it’s happy tears this time as she nods, grabs the microphone, and we both belt out the words to one of her favorite songs. I mentally thank Millie for the playlist suggestion as Charley leans into me and pleasure radiates from her like rays of radiant sunlight. It’s perfect. Everything is perfect. Most especially the woman in my arms. I’m never letting this go. Never letting her go.
